Sounds like a busy weekend!

Those press box seats look pretty nice....

They really were! I am still in disbelief that I was fortunate enough to have had that opportunity.

Sounds likes you had a good weekend, The pictures where great good job Jen.

Hate to be the one that says it but, I told you so. (Not to go cause you'd be hooked.) Nothing like Nascar live.Thanks for the pix.

Both Burton brothers are not very talkative. I am surprised every time I see Jeff doing commercials or being interviewed. I guess they can talk when they have to. Still love Ward though and glad to see him back. He got some of the loudest cheering from the fans when introduced.

Ward is my favorite driver and will continue to be so even if he doesn't qualify on time. I have heard him speak in person several times and he appears to be a soft-spoken, somewhat shy person in front of groups. However, when you talk with him as he autographs an item for you he is very personable and not only answers questions but asks some of his own.

I am sure he is more personable when he signs autographs....but I wasn't there for that. I am still disappointed. I am only giving my perspective on this. And I can say safely that there wasn't a crowd by his hauler.

As you read this, keep in mind, that I, too, was a fan of his. I am glad that you have had that opportunity.

Hi Jennifer,

I've been a racing fan for more years than I care to count. It would seem fairly obvious to me that trying to arrange an interview 10 minutes prior to qualifying (!) would not be the best time. The driver is there to do a job, and focus on that job. It is particularly important for those drivers in the "go or go home" group who MUST qualify to make the race.

Whether Ward has fans or not (he does), whether fans visit the hauler or not (they do)and whether he qualifies or not -- all are immaterial to your quest for an interview. Citing those "impressions" comes off as sour grapes since the interview never could be arranged. The drivers are quite accessible, but not 24/7. They, like all of us, have days that they are overworked and overbooked. I'm sure you were disappointed things didn't work out for you. But to discontinue as a Ward fan, and call him out like you did in this blog? That just struck me a bit of an overreaction.

Ward loves discussing his Foundation and I'm sorry he was not able to chat with you. But there are priorities during a race weekend, many not in his control.
Hopefully, your next race fares better for you.

Hello Nila,
Did you read my entire blog entry? Just curious because I mentioned that it wasn't me that was trying to get an interview w/ Ward. It was someone else who tried ALL weekend.

This blog is about opinions and I gave you mine as viewed by someone in the media who watched a reporter try all weekend to meet w/ him. Not just those 10 minutes.

I am glad you shared your opinions, thank you.

I meant no disrepect regardless of what you thought.

Yes, I read the entire article.

to quote:
"He should feel lucky that someone from the media wanted to talk to him."

No, Ward was "lucky" he didn't have to deal with a reporter who felt that they were entitled to an interview, regardless of circumstances.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Thanks for the opportunity to make my side of the issue known.

Yes, let's agree to disagree.

You're welcome.

I was just listening to the Weather channel Jennifer and they were saying showers this Friday at Daytona..If you're a real fan of Ward's you better start praying that they can get qualifying in or Ward won't even have a chance of getting into that race and will be going home..Why couldn't you have wrote something about how unfair that "top 35 rule" is ?

Trudy-
I would be utterly digusted if it rains Friday. I hate that. AND, don't get me started on that top 35 rule. That is a blog entry in itself! I will be discussing that at some point. But seems how I have hit a nerve w/ some...I will save that for later.

Why not talk about the top 35 ..no one really is ...no , let's get more obtuse columns and blogs about DEI , or an observation of a friend of guy who was told by a driver who is outside of the top 35 he didn't have time to talk about his off track interests ....Tackle it , talk about the top 35 , that's an important topic . I am tired of seeing drivers week after week well within the field being sent home and the drivers within the top 35 qualify below 43rd and still race ..it's a twisted .system , ..just insane .

Jennifer , This is what I sent to your reporter friend Travis earlier today regarding Ward Burton..just to let you know.
What you've written about Ward raises alot of questions for me..
Are you so important in the scheme of things that you caused Ward's engine to blow up ? If so then I had better tread lightly here I'd hate to lose my lucky ways..
Seriously have you been to WardBurton.com and read up on the foundation ? If you have then you would have agreed with Ward that talking about it for a couple minutes would have been impossible.
All drivers are busy..Even the ones not in the top 35. In fact I think they're busier and more stressed than any out there !
Have you been following Ward on qualifying day ? Have you seen what an uphill battle it's been for all the drivers not in the top 35 ? Do you know what the " top 35 rule" is ? Ward's fans are happy to see him back..and hope he can win this battle !

Tue Jul 03, 11:38:00 AM

Ward "elmer fud" Burton will talk to you, but he doesn't exactly go out of his way to do so. And just because you want wo wear wis woice,doesn't ween he is woing wo walk wo wou.